2022 PeacePlayers Impact Report FINAL - Flipbook - Page 30
A NOTE ON THE NEXT
20 YEARS AND BEYOND
NORTHERN IRELAND
In these past 20 years we have provided over 25,000 Catholic and Protestant young people in Northern Ireland with sustained and
meaningful opportunities to develop positive relations through sport.
FOR THE FUTURE, WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEE IT AS OUR BUSINESS TO DO OURSELVES OUT OF BUSINESS. WE WILL GO BEYOND
JUST CREATING IMPACT THROUGH DIRECT PROGRAMME DELIVERY. WE WILL FOCUS ON SUSTAINING THE RIPPLE
EFFECT BY CONTINUING TO BUILD THE CAPACITY OF THE NEXT GENERATION OF PEACE BUILDERS.
Importantly also we will innovate and collaborate to more intentionally tackle the institutional barriers. Segregated education; divided
neighborhoods; the sports we play and teams we support; the churches and youth groups we attend; the political parties we vote for,
and the attitudes and mindsets of parents and other significant adults represent significant institutional barriers that stand in the way
of young people even when they desire change and want to be a part of creating profound change.
t’s a lofty goal to try to reverse decades of separation and mistrust, but we are already working in 5 of Northern Ireland’s 11 council
areas and with 5 key institutions (the police, schools, churches, sport and youth organisations), and we’ve seen that it’s possible.
GARETH HARPER
Managing Director, PeacePlayers Northern Ireland
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